The singer is newly single after a broken off engagement with country singer and actress Jana Kramer, and he’s going to live up his bachelorhood at the second-annual festival. Gilbert spoke with radio station WGNA about the event, which takes place at Hunter Mountain, N.Y. in June, dishing on a few key things he really enjoys about outdoor festivals.

“Usually at the outdoor festivals, people have been tailgating all day,” the country-rocker explains. “They’ve got a couple drinks in them, and they’re ready to party.”

And outdoor summer concerts mean a different type of attire, especially for females.

Gilbert admits, “I’ve got a special place in my heart for Daisy Dukes — and bikinis!”

“You know what I mean? That’s just a soft spot for me,” he adds. “God bless outside shows.” If there aren’t enough bikinis in New York, he’ll be sure to see a lot of them at the inaugural Tropical Nights: Boots in the Sand event. But somehow, we think ToC Fest attendees will oblige Gilbert’s wishes.

Along with short shorts and bikinis, Gilbert touched on his relationship with the other two festival headliners, Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley. “Dierks and I are actually good friends. I hadn’t done a lot of work with Brad; I’ve met him a few times,” he says. He adds that he’s currently writing a song with Bentley through text message, which sounds intriguing, to say the least.

Last year’s ToC Music Festival’s headliner included legend Willie Nelson, and we’re not surprised that Gilbert has a story about the beloved entertainer — or that he can’t share it. “I have a story, but I can’t tell it, because I would never smoke weed because it is against the law,” Gilbert says coyly. “And I am a law abiding citizen and never lie.”

Well played, Mr. Gilbert. Want to catch him at the Taste of Country Music Festival? Get more info here. The event is slated for June 13-15, 2014.

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